Maribor..........

SMN have you been watching the right side of the defence this season(with Cahill & Ivanovic) or are you oblivious and think everything is rosy?


Lapse of concentration has been disconcerting, however improved a tad in recent weeks.

Topping the group is a given harlequin, just a question of when.
If other results fall into place, then we could qualify to last 16 top as early as matchday 4(Confident that we'll beat Maribor twice).

Tbf Cahill has probably been a bit better than terry this season. They havnt been great .

I know how important Terry is and I expect him to play as I can’t see Jose being without his captain for this game. However there is a world apart from managing Terry who is fast approaching 34 and would’ve played just three days earlier for a home game and taking the game lightly. Maribor will sit back, that is why I’d have full confidence in an experienced back four of Azi, Brana, Cahill and Luis and go for out strongest midfield to control the game.

Cahill has looked dodgy this season. Terry still a rock at the back.

34 year old who has proven that he's capable of playing two games in a week, playing centre half isn't as strenuous as other positions(with all due respect).
Let's get the group sew up, then rest the linchpin/important players in their respective positions.

Maribor may well sit back, but they have shown that they can be a threat on the counter.
If we are only 1 up(due to not being clinical, which is possible), they can conceivably score an equaliser from set piece or counter.

And that is exactly why I’d play our strongest midfield.

Same reasoning, is why I would want Terry in defence.
No one better at CB in defensive situations when they arise.

Out of interest, who does your strongest midfield consist of? (assuming you meant 3 attacking mids + 2 deep)